New York State maintains a prohibited and regulated invasive species list under 6 NYCRR Part 575. It is illegal to knowingly possess, sell, import, purchase, or transport listed prohibited species in New York. Common urban invasives in Brooklyn include tree of heaven, Japanese knotweed, and porcelain berry.
New York State's invasive species regulations under 6 NYCRR Part 575 (effective 2015) establish two categories: Prohibited species that cannot be knowingly possessed, sold, imported, purchased, transported, or introduced; and Regulated species that cannot be knowingly introduced into a free-living state. The prohibited list includes approximately 70 plant species. Common invasive species found in Brooklyn's urban environment include tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Norway maple (Acer platanoides β regulated), and oriental bittersweet. NYC Parks Department actively manages invasives in Brooklyn's parks and natural areas. The NYC Urban Forest Agenda recommends planting native species for street trees and park plantings. Brooklyn Botanic Garden operates a New York Metropolitan Flora project tracking invasive species in the region. Property owners are not typically penalized for having existing invasive plants, but selling or distributing prohibited species is illegal. New York City's street tree program under Parks Department jurisdiction uses approved native and adapted species only.
Selling or importing prohibited species: up to $2,000 civil penalty per violation under 6 NYCRR Part 575. Higher penalties for commercial violations.
Kings County, NY
NYC strictly regulates commercial vehicle parking. Commercial vehicles may park at meters for up to 3 hours and are banned from residential areas overnight (...
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn pools must be enclosed by a self-closing, self-latching barrier at least 4 feet high per NYC Building Code and Health Code Β§165.57.
Kings County, NY
Feeding pigeons, squirrels, raccoons, or other wildlife that creates unsanitary conditions is prohibited in Brooklyn under NYC Health Code Β§153.09.
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn residents may keep backyard hens, but roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, goats, and sheep are prohibited under NYC Health Code Β§161.01.
Kings County, NY
NYC Health Code Β§161.01 prohibits most wild, exotic, and farm animals. Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, pot-bellied pigs, venomous snakes, large reptiles, ...
Kings County, NY
All consumer fireworks are illegal in New York City under New York Penal Law Β§270.00. This includes sparklers longer than 10 inches, firecrackers, Roman cand...
See how Kings County's prohibited species rules stack up against other locations.
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